I have a garden that is very water efficient, so it looks great in the warmer months, but it can become a little overgrown and wild in the colder months. I might not spend as much time out there in winter, but I still like it to look good. I have been working on the garden design to help it look good all year round, and I have found that with the right plant selection and preparation, the garden can look great throughout the year. This blog has tips for other homeowners who are looking to improve the appearance of their garden when the weather gets wet.
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The army worm is certainly one of the most destructive garden pest around. The pests destroy anything in their path and can be a nightmare once they invade your lawn. An army worm outbreak can leave your beautiful garden dilapidated and simply unattractive. While you may be tempted to use the most extreme chemicals in order to eliminate the army worm, modest natural methods still get the job done with impressive results.
Despite their intrusive nature, army worms are easily manageable through a number of organic methods with little or no long-term effects on the environment. Here are a couple of procedures that can be used to eliminate and possibly prevent re-invasion:
Use Natural Predators
Beneficial insects and predators are usually the first line of defence against army worms and other pests. Insects such as the lacewings, egg wasps and pirate bugs are effective in the control of the worms. The insects feed on the worms at both the larvae and egg stage ensuring little chances of survival. If the population of army worms is out of control, you can always purchase the predator eggs from an authorised agent to offset the balance.
Handpicking Larvae in Early Spring
Perhaps more inclined to the small-scale gardener, it is advisable to take a closer look at your garden at the beginning of spring. Manually pick the caterpillars from the bottom of the leaf face. The damage may have already been done before you find them but try and resist the urge to squash the insects. Instead, drop them in a bucket of soapy water.
Apply Beneficial Nematodes
If for some reason, you failed to prevent the infestation and the worms are already crawling in your garden, there's no reason to worry. You can always release beneficial nematodes into the pest-ridden soil. These minute organisms will eliminate worm egg, larvae and pupae with extreme prejudice and be very gentle on other living organisms. As a bonus, they not only feed on army worms but also on additional 200 pest species.
Use of Horticultural Oil Sprays
As the season advances, there may be persistent army worms lurking around. At this point, horticultural sprays such as the neem oil spray is effective in killing the larvae and preventing fungal growth. While applying the spray, ensure broad coverage onto the top and underside of the leaves, junctions and the stem.
In rare occasions where the above methods prove unsuccessful, you should resort to organic insecticides to get rid of the army worms. Always desist from using strong and harmful pesticides that would inadvertently destroy helpful organisms.
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